We Lost

The entire time I walked to my room, I could barely perceive anything around me. The corridor felt shorter, and I had no clear idea of how I even got to my room. I managed only a faint nod at the greeting Omegas.

I sank onto my bed, hand tightly clenched the heaviness of the day pulling me into its depths. My gaze drifted to the window. Outside, my camellias stood tall and proud, thriving even in the biting chill. They seemed untouched by the chaos clinging to me—the havoc wreaked within me at the sight of my beloved acting so affectionately with an unfamiliar woman.

Cold and calm, they were beautiful yet distant, their perfection almost mocking my turmoil. They reflected a part of me—or perhaps, they were everything I wasn't.

My hands rested against the window, a faint breath escaping my lips. The humiliation I'd faced just moments ago made my teeth clench, my heart still racing with panic.

"My lady…" my maid's familiar voice broke through the silence, gentle and soft.

Three footsteps later, she was behind me.

I could feel her gaze on me—pity, perhaps? Or something else?

I had no idea.

But I absolutely detested being looked at like that…

"Maria," I whispered her name, and she responded in her quiet, familiar voice.

"Your Highness…"

A faint smile touched my lips as my hands traced the mist on the window, watching my beautiful flowers sway in the faint chill of winter.

They were so tenacious… I wished I could be the same.

"Do you know why I love camellias?"

"No…" she replied softly.

I smiled, my mouth opening slightly, preparing to speak. Yet, just as I hesitated to continue, my little maid spoke up.

"This is the hundredth time you've asked me that, my lady, but not once have you told me the reason. Whatever your reasons may be," her voice softened further, and I felt her move closer, "this servant will support you until the very end."

"Really?" I chuckled faintly, though the sound felt hollow.

"Yes," she said firmly. After a brief pause, she added, "And… I think you should relax, Your Highness. Maybe it's not what you think."

"Hopefully… maybe," I replied after a moment of silence, clinging to her words like a lifeline.

Luca wasn't the type to entertain women and act so close to them.

But that was what made this even scarier—he wasn't that kind of man.

"Summon the Gamma for me," I ordered, snapping my fingers. Maria obeyed instantly, closing the door gently behind her.

Once she left, I moved to the cupboard and gathered the tea leaves to make myself some warm tea. I had everything I needed, and the fragrant aroma of camellia tea never failed to calm my nerves.

I needed to be calm.

Barely five minutes later, a knock sounded at my door. My eyes followed the movement as it opened. Standing behind Maria was the Gamma—a brutish-looking man with shoulder-length hair partially covering his face.

He was massive, his unsmiling face enough to make pups cry at the sight of him. He was known by his nickname: the Silent Beast. His footsteps were as quiet as his demeanor, and he was a man of few words—one who wouldn't hesitate to drive his sword, gun, fist, or claws into anyone he was commanded to.

"Take a seat, Gamma Luss," I gestured to the chair before me and then turned to Maria. "Get Gamma Luss some tea. The weather has been cold recently; a warm tea will help."

"No need, Milady," he said in his coarse voice, his green eyes fixed on mine, silently demanding the reason for my summons.

He was a tough man to deal with, his loyalty to my husband unquestionable.

"If you say so," I shrugged with a slight smile. "It's been months since we last saw each other, hasn't it?" I asked, taking a sip of my tea.

He nodded. "Three months."

"Right…" I nodded in agreement, my thoughts drifting as I recounted. "Time flies, doesn't it? Who would have thought it's been half a hear now since the war against the Western Wolves started? Yet, the most unbelievable part is that we've always returned with medals… all thanks to brave men like you, fighting to protect our homeland."

"No."

My smile froze at the Gamma's rigid reply. I blinked twice, unsure of which part of my words had earned his disagreement.

I tilted my head in question, watching as the Gamma adjusted his seating.

"We didn't return with victory this time," he said bluntly. "We lost."